I do, and if you like this compromise you should.

Dear Richard,

I care what Slick Willy thinks. I don't know of a federal mandate that says that I have to agree with the likes of you.

MWooton,

A federal mandate?

If Clinton is for it, it can't be good for conservatives...time to demand the rates are held steady for 3 years, to reduce the impact this has on 2012 elections... you know the only reason the Dems will pass this is so it becomes the overriding election issue.

Why the hell does he need Bill Clinton to back him.

All Clinton standing up for Obama does is make Bill look worse. Sad that Obama is proving that he isn't left in the slightest he has been and will forever be a center right fool.

Obama take your 3 huge victories for the right bill and go @!$%# yourself with it.

Why would the Democrats want to be talking about raising taxes again just before the next election. That would not be good for the party. Maybe they're thinking tax reform next year to take tax hikes off the table before 2012.

First of all lets stop criticizing Obama he's the best we've had in over a decade & he's doing the right thing with little support. Uninformed people seem to find him easy to criticize and unfortunately they are rallying up a voice. The American people just recently voted in a republican majority into the house right! The democratic tax cut deal is what it is because the American public decided that they wanted a tea party or republican opinion in the house.. Well these are some of the results to that! If we would of maintained a democratic majority in the house along with the senate this deal would not of been needed, so lets not blame Obama over something that we caused.

Caused? The voters are not idiots. The American people made a decision that they want more conservative ideas in the government. Do you think, mike, that they were so naive that they pushed the wrong button or just fell for the other side's lies?

Sorry Bush lite aka Obama being the best in ten years isn't hard when you remember Bush is those other 8 years.

The fact is the Dems in Congress are at fault and not the President. I recall him telling them not to wait till the last minute to try to deal with this because he was worried about the mid-terms and what it would do to the balance of power in Congress. They didn't listen then expect to pass some kind of meaningful legislation in the lame duck session.

He got the best deal he could get. In January when the Republicans take over the House they would have voted the Bill through and then it would have been placed on a weakend Dem led Senate to say yes or no. Anyone with a little common sense should know what would have happened there. The Dems would have given up the needed votes to pass it and the President and the past Congress led by the Dems would have looked even worse for not approving tax cut extensions for the people that needed it the most when they needed it the most and for not funding UI over the biggest Holiday season of the year.

I have never been an Obama supporter and can't wait to see what happens next, but the blame is squarely on the shoulders of Pelosi and the House for waiting until the last minute to try to pass legislation on these issues.

I will say thank you to them because ever minute they waste kicking this Bill around the circle the less time the Senate will have to filibuster stupid legislation like the Dream Act.

Richard, a lot of people care what former president Clinton says. You know that.

A lot of people people are coming to appreciate him as a wise and reasonable elder statesman. His paternal influence on Obama may represent real hope for a battered and failing presidency. Isn't that damned ironic!

The voluble former president took it away, and Obama left part-way through his remarks, saying he had holiday parties to attend.

First off let me say LOL. Obama leaves before Bill is done, thats funny. Secondly let me say, this deal is solid gold for the Democrats. There have been no tax cuts made, these are just extensions of the old. Nothing noticeable will get done job wise.....it will remain the same. This is an advantage Democrats, who can then use this as a talking point for the 2012 elections. They will argue that Seeee, tax cuts to the rich DONT promote job growth, and launch their campaign from this premise.

P.S. And another thing! This bill has porky pig snorting all over it. This is just a spending bill with no gain in any marginal rate. What a disaster this bill is!

go fellow democrats give obama hell for selling out to the rich!

Look, people, I'm going to be the first one to send in my absentee ballot in 2012, and I won't be voting for any liberals.

At this moment we have a liberal President and there's nothing any of us can do about it.

However, we need to show respect for our nation as a whole. Some of your comments are so immature and disrespectful that I'm ashamed to call you Americans. Grow up, and grow some kahunas while you're at it.

W. Goin,

What kind of political moron calls the American public "fools" for not agreeing with him? The voters are not idiots. The American people made a decision that they want more conservative ideas in the government. How arrogant does one have to be to look down his nose at anyone he disagrees with?

For all those so quick to blast the current and the former President, can you personaly do a better job? I suspect not so, instead of whining and complaining and offering your undereducated and uniformed opinions, why don't you try runing for office yourselves?

Look at alll the sheeples......grazing in the world as oneeee ...woohooo hoo hoo hoo ..........

Obama needs Clinton because Billy is still popular.

At least the taxes won't be raised with this bill. And, remember...The rich own businesses and that's real good for the American worker (or 2 million collecting unemployeement). When the rich have more money, it trickles down. Now don't get me wrong, all rich people aren't all that generous. But overall, more money saved and the less taken away is usually a good thing. The only really hurtful thing in this bill is the cut to Social Security. Anyone agree with any of this?

"Former president says he would have done what Obama has done."

Let me see:

A President censured for lying would have done what an inadequate President has done.

Or is that a lie?

Or is it the truth?

Or is it a way of trying to make his wife keeps her job (no matter how bad she is at it?)

Or have Mr. Obama's handlers told him to ask Slick Willie for verbal help? It may be that Mr. Clinton has some expertise in things oral.

fayse,

Personally, yes I can, at least on the issue of the economy. One of the biggest problems regarding the economy right now is that there is too much uncertainly in the business market when it comes to the government and taxes. Are they going to pass the VAT tax? Cap and trade? Raise or lower personal and business income taxes?

These are major issues for businesses of ALL sizes because they can't plan their budgets and expenses realistically without that kind of information. There's a big difference in your planning if you know you're going to pay 25% in taxes as opposed to 40% in taxes for example. Depending on the size of your business, you could be talking about an awful lot of money.

It's simple economics, and yet the government, made up of Democrats and Republicans alike, is not doing everything it can to eliminate this kind of uncertainty. While this "agreement" of keeping the Bush tax cuts in place for the next 2 years will help to some small degree, it merely postpones the discussion for another 2 years.

What then?

If I were President, I would tell Congress I expect them to come up with a long-term proposal that would eliminate the uncertainly for several years or even longer if possible (yes, I know the odds of that are slim). I would also have them shelve VAT and Cap and Trade until there is a vast improvement in the economy.

Since there is obviously no chance of one side prevailing over the other in regards to these 2 issues, its far better to shelve them now and remove the uncertainty in the markets.

I love it, the Clinton undermining of the Obama administration is continuing at full speed!

The voluble former president took it away, and Obama left part-way through his remarks, saying he had holiday parties to attend.

That's so Obama. He and Meech have some more partying on the taxpayer dime to do. Billy will figure out how to pay for it via taxes.

Shut up both of you.

What you can do. Take this 70 billion tax this year, and then give it back to the middleclass

You can do this in many ways; take away all taxes from the middleclass scraped to equal the amount of taxes they would have to pay if bill didn't pass.

You can scrap property tax for middleclass.

You can lower income tax or give tax credit

Scrap that Alternative minimum tax.

Lower social security tax

Give tax credit to pay for health insurance

Let the GOP oppose it then let the Fed send them checks

Do this and who will vote for them in 2012

Humble weak Obama, talk to your enemies, he would have visited Bin laden, but he doesn’t know where he is.

You are going to be out of office anyway

I was watching Bernie Sanders speak (for 9 hours) - did I miss something?

A pragmatist's convention?

You know, the problem with a pragmatist is that you have to presume every one of their premises to be true. Such as: "This is good for Americans." If that's not true than they're not 'pragmatists' but just full of @!$%#.

A pragmatist is Robert De Niro holding up a bullet in the Deerhunter and saying, "This is this!"

In contrast, Billy and Barry are holding up a pile of cow dung and saying, "This smells like roses."

....but we've had a whiff and the spin ain't gonna work this time.

Who are you to tell anybody to shut up?!

your an idiot. you have a short term memory as to the accomplishments of clintons administration.

I find it hilarious that the same tea-bagging hostage takers that were screaming for their rich buddy tax rate extension are actually whining because they got what they wanted?

You got exactly what you wanted and now want to hate on the President and Clinton for helping you get it? You are a JOKE

Pathetic worms all of you.... moronic, malcontent conservatives.

Well you can try to blame the American people who voted for the GOP in the election and say it's not Obama's fault. But it was Obama pushing through an unpopular, by majority, healthcare bill that cost him these seats in the Houses. And he admitted to this himself so don't try to argue around it.

Bill is there because people have lost faith in Obama and Obama is trying to boost himself up. But it was nice to see he had a more important party to attend then to worry about the middle class.

I think the GOP should give up taxcuts for the wealthy and the Dems should give up UE extentions and that would be better for the Country as a whole. And a great cost savings. We need to tighten the belt buckle all around, then we could bring the boys back home for further spending cuts and keep the ball rolling.

And PS it wsn't Bubba who looked bad standing there it was Obama walking away that looked bad.

Bill Clinton implored Democrats to back the tax-cut deal that President Barack Obama negotiated with Republicans.....

Something smells FISHY about this whole deal.....and I can smell it all the way from the White House steps....and I live in Washington State.

Yeah, Timmy.......spew out your Liberal Progressive hatred. You might even want to vent some of that towards our State's Proressive Liberal Social Justice Democrats.

The message in Nov to Congress was we do not want to give them any more money until BOTH sides of the aisle learn how to be responsible with what they do get. The more we give, the more they want and too much goes to waste, fraud, backroom bargains, and special interests. There isn't one responsible, hard working person posting here that could or would run their household as the gov't does. Just as we must hold ourselves accountable for how we manage, Congress, that group that is suppose to work for ALL the people of this country, needs to hold itself accountable for how they spend what they receive. Let Congress clean up its own house before it continues to clean out our bank accounts.

I will post this again for any of those that have never seen it. Great information and very truthful.

By Dr. Adrian Rodgers 1931-2005.

"you can not legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government can not give to anybody, anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not need to work because the other half is going to take care of them and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that, my dear friend, is about the end of any nation."

Yep, so right.

Please re-direct your post of Dr. Rodgers Statement to:

Eric, Bev in Chicago, Red Head on the loose in Illinois, W. Goin, and Timmy in Seattle.

I like Bill

Thanks, Skipster!

Whose idea was it to revive bill clinton? Geesh---this guy possesses the worst political instincts of any politician I have ever seen.

Slick Willie is now a multi-millionaire and getting nearer to death so that's why he is for the tax breaks for the wealthy and death tax reforms that will allow the wealthy to pass along their money.

It's pretty funny Obama is doing a flip flop and has gotten Bill to back him up. The only true statement of the entire article is that there is something in the bill that no one likes. True, more spending we can't pay for and still embracing the entitlement mentality. Get rid of the pork!

Richard...Become a constitutional law professor like Obama or a Rhodes Scholar like Clinton, then start the infantile bashing of two of the most people-oriented presidents in history. What do Republican presidents do? They create the Great Depression, end up having to resign from office for their lying and spying on Democrats, they Trickle Down the bills they make on the poor and middle class, they're Gentler and Kinder only to the rich and then, they kill 3,000 American military in a $3.2 trillion and counting war that made Halliburton, Enron and Blackwater richer than rich cronies.

So...let's see now....Who can we expect for a rerun of the Republican genius? Sarah Palin...right...She thinks North Korea is our ally. McCain? right...Next time there's a terrorist attack run...don't do the American thing and help because if you get sick doing it, he'll make sure you die first. Boehner? Right...the tanning industry will get the lions share of the profits while Bourbon Boy McConnell continues to get his medical care off the backs of US taxpayers.

Let's not even go there with Scooter Libby, Tom DeLay, Ney or their infamous K-Street crony, Abramoff.

All we ever get from Republicans is poverty, bullying and dominance. No thanks.

So true Skipster, the ones that rant and rave about the "evil rich" are probably sitting on their couch waiting for their government check. They don't want to actually work (four letter word) for it, they just want freebies. Pathetic. Trickle up poverty from the system suckers.
Obama is a failure, plain and simple, to walk out because he has a party to go to, and leave his buttkisser Gibbs to answer questions is just wrong.

Crystal...So, I'm guessing you think what Madoff did was just "business as usual"? Or the money stolen by Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling of Enron out of their employees 401Ks (some of which paid for Bush's campaign) or the hundred millions spent by the Biggie Piggies like Ebbers, Kozlowski and Milkin is fine and dandy? Get a clue lady.

The rich steal from the poor. How do you think they get rich if not by price gouging necessities like gasoline, housing, food and clothing? No rich man gets that way without employees working for him that he doesn't pay a fraction of what he takes for himself. No rich man gets that way without customers who buy his products or services.

Your generation of young people have been spoiled beyond belief and now they buy homes they can't afford while forcing others to pay for their McKiddies educations. If you can't learn to live on what you earn...how is that our problem? Any idiot woman who spends $35 to get her nails manicured is not exactly hurting. Any man who owns an SUV and spends $100 a pop to fill up his gas tank isn't either. McMommies and McDaddies don't need to buy supper...cook it yourself. You don't need a $1000 washer and $1000 dryer to do your laundry either. Grow up and act like you know how to live on what you earn. I'm sick of these whiny ass Daycare Generation brats acting like they can't live with a little less.

I totally agree! That is what is so irritating to me, these people who are on unemployment for two years now are making almost what I do and I have to get up every morning at 4 am and work 40 hours a week and have for over 30 years! But I certainly don't think the "evil rich" owe me anything. I am 56 by the way.

I just read an article that shows Congress still does not get it. Add-ons (pork) for lobbyists and lawmakers have been included in the bill, making it more costly. It goes back to my earlier point, Congress does not know how to live within its means of support. Further Congressional cleaning needs to be done.

Crystal...So you actually believe that 9 million people who had jobs just want to sit back and live off of unemployment for the duration? Think again. Now...time for you to own up. Who made the decisions that unemployed these 9 million people? Perhaps, you could speak to the CEOs who became billionaires when they unloaded 9 million employees and demand they hire them back? I'm sure that'll go over big.

You blame government. Government doesn't unemploy 9 million Americans. Sorry, that's the reality young youth need to face these days. As for pork, let me clue you in. My state (NJ) gets pay 61 cents for every dollar we pay into the federal kitty. Where's all the pork? Below the Mason Dixon line in states like Texas that gets back $1.47 for every dollar they pay in. Or to states like Florida, Mississippi, Alaska and Lousiana. What do you call it when some states get back less than half of their initial federal investment while others like Alaska end up with $1.71 for every dollar they payt? It's called subsidizing.

It is time for red states to tighten their belts and stop whining about the rest of the states that subsidize their pork barrel projects.

Could it be the budget of Texas is inflated because of their influx of illegal immigrants our government is advertising free money to? And could it be that Alaska is remote with a very small population to generate the income? I don't know about you, but I am not willing to let Alaska go, it is an incredible resource for our country.

I do not understand why President Clinton endorses Obama's plan.

Yesterday, President Clinton said that wealthy people use more of our country's natural and other resources than less wealthy people which is the justification to charge them higher taxes. They use these resources to create wealth.

Because of his comment and because the tax rates in question, if allowed to expire, would be at the level set during Clinton's Administration, I'm trying to figure out why Clinton endorses Obama.

I thought Clinton would help the current Administration to extend the tax cuts for the middle class only but Clinton is helping Obama's plan instead.

What is up with that?

BAD BAD BAD. Obama has played the republicans for fools and misled them into supporting another huge stimulus package to be paid for with money that doesn't exist, all for the illusion of some tax breaks. Why isn't the Tea Party screaming about this massive deficit spending abomination?

Initially I was all for making the current tax structure permanent or at least extended for the next 2-3 years. Now, however, as I see more and more deficit spending pork being inserted into this legislation ostensibly to garner votes for it, the more I want to see it fail, and with Slick Willy's endorsement, even more so. This is how it works in DC (both parties); to get some legislation passed it needs to be made virtually unrecognizable, and much more expensive, from the original bill.

I would be in favor of a bill extending the current tax structure and including an extension of unemployment benefits for 13 weeks. The proposal to extend unemployment benefits for a year is not only unheard of but a tacit admission that the administration feels the unemployment rate will remain unchanged (or even increase) for years to come. Extending these benefits for so long guarantees the recipients will not look for work until the benefits are about to run out and probably not even then as they're becoming conditioned to expecting endless extensions.

Ben Franklin once stated that he was all for helping the down and out while they engage in the process of recovering from their unfortunate circumstances but he cautioned against making things too comfortable for them lest they become complacent in their situation. This is what's happening now and we aren't doing these unemployed any favors.

Wet Willy, I'm not Tea Party but I'm screaming. As I said a few posts back, pork makes its way once again into a bill. I shouldn't have been surprised and neither should anyone else. Congress refuses to listen and learn. My representatives will be hearing from me once again.

Crystal: I knew that at one point you would be putting the lame excuse of the illegal immigration on the table to justify our own incompetence. What about the AMERICAN companies that actually eagerly hire those illegals because represent cheaper labor and a bigger profit margin? How 12 million illegal aliens affect the incompetence and convenience of 300 million? A couple of universities I work with have fired in the last couple of weeks more than 1200 people. Who is to blame for that? The illegals too? The 99ers? The people trying to get a job that are being rejected because the companies that are hiring do not want people that has been for too long out of the work force? California posted an ad looking for farm workers, and the condition they asked was to be US Citizen or US legal resident. Out of 1800 positions they were looking for, only 239 people actually applied. So, who do you think that companies in Cali will end up calling when they run the risk of losing their crops and with the American people refusing to take those jobs? Yeah, those who you so much despise. And it's not politics, politics do not exist anymore, it's just business.

It's pretty funny Obama is doing a flip flop and has gotten Bill to back him up. The only true statement of the entire article is that there is something in the bill that no one likes. True, more spending we can't pay for and still embracing the entitlement mentality. Get rid of the pork!

Obama has no clue that Clinton just politically kneecapped him. This more than anything else I have seen points to him as a one termer.

Another democrat porker bill. Vote it down. Higher taxes for everyone, cheer.

Great job spend thrifty democraps. Pork pork pork that bill, ya ya ya.

"Lets spend our way out of debt": said goofy.

Bill says: "Where's Susette"?

Obama says:"Let's not frett".

Harry says:"There will be no regret".

Nancy says: "This is not a new concept. We always tax and spend. The American people are not our friend. They are here to serve us".

The proposal to extend unemployment benefits for a year is not only unheard of but a tacit admission that the administration feels the unemployment rate will remain unchanged (or even increase) for years to come

I completely agree with this part of your comment. That would mean people would receive unemployment for 3 YEARS.

I received unemployment for 2 years back in 2003-2004 and pursued training for a job that was in demand and was projected to be in demand for years. I was laid off at the end of July of this year and was working temporary within 3 weeks in my profession and can pay my bills.

I would prefer that these extended benefits be linked to training for a new job that is in demand in THE UNEMPLOYED's communities. Why? These people who have been unemployed for 2 years have no money to relocate and employers don't pay for relocation for most positions. They need to get jobs in their community. They need to pursue in demand jobs in THEIR community.

RE: TAXES - I am all for the tax structure that we had under the Clinton Administration.

Karen

A very wise position.

This is not anymore embarrassing than getting advice from your father, as the previous President did many times.

How did you know, if he was asking his Daddy? You're watching to much TV.

"However, after his statement, Clinton began to call on and take questions from the press with Obama at his side. Obama promptly after a few moments and said he had to see Michelle, as he was keeping her "waiting."

Just who is president anyway???

Patty

Heck of it is he didn't, he left part way through Clinton's speech. Now i don't like Clinton but wow, the guy comes to YOUR aid and you leave in the middle of his helping YOU to attend "other parties" ? WOW what unmitigated arrogance. Just how narcissistic is he? At the very, very, very, least it was just plain rude, if not flat out insulting. Glad i don't have friends like that.

September of 1994, Bill Clinton wasn't much different than Barry is today, a clueless ideologue. Dick Morris and Newt would change all of that, and for the betterment of the Clinton brand and U.S. history. Barry doesn't have a Morris on staff, not that he would listen to him anyway, but how nice is it for him to turn to a former president dozens of times in his short period in office to calm the seas.

What we seen today was a skilled politician and a hack way over his head, both of whom are mostly repugnant.

Obama didn't do it for the public. He is trying to get the rest of the Democrats to support it. He says he wants to cut spending, then has Harry Reid add 55 billion to the bill in earmarks. It is no wonder the Democrats will not eliminate earmarks. They would never get their pork passed.

No Patty, YOU should be totally embarrassed for calling a President and former President of the United States "barry" "bubba" "boo boo". You certainly embarrass me for showing your disrespect and immaturity.

Barry should send the Clintons a dozen roses a day. Bill is the only one that can save his butt. But of course, he won't see that. And to leave in the middle? How gouache.

this press conference made it look like clinton was the psuedo president while obam was excusing himself from answering any of the HARD questions again...obam obviously can't sell his own plan without having a 5 yr old temper tantrum...sad & scarry to know our current president can't handle the job but then that has been quit obvious..barry it seems can only campaign but is unable to govern..

Eric,

Maybe the previous President got advice from his father because his father is a former President.

No Patty, YOU should be totally embarrassed for calling a President and former President of the United States "barry" "bubba" "boo boo". You certainly embarrass me for showing your disrespect and immaturity.

Hey Vermont..., Once they both have earned my respect, I will be respectful.

Well people better get ready for your taxes to go up but this bill will be going down if they repubs. are smart.

Patty...I'm sure you never consult with McMommy and McDaddy on things you are uncertain of right? What do you think could possibly be wrong with President Obama consulting with a Rhodes Scholar like Bill Clinton who's been there and done that?

What? Not Republican enough for you? What's with the sour grapes out there who can't respect that a constitutional majority rule put President Obama in office. Is this more of the Big Baby attitudes that of those who think getting their way is the ONLY way?

Patty....People of intelligence never reduce themselves to blathering idiots. Call any president childish names only shows lack of intelligence. And may I inquire as to why you think a man who has more education than you ever will has to "earn" your respect? He was voted into office by constitutional majority rule....that's all the respect you need.

I see W. Goin (2.4) is once again impressing us with his superior intellect.

It was too soon, you might be surprised that she would be a contender in 2016.

Why wait till 2016? The Dems will be putting a challenger out in 2012 :P

Eric

Unless Hillary flip flops she said this is it for her. No more political positions.

Breweyez --

just went you thought things could not get any worse....just think...that hag could run for president

Oh, they could Breweyze.

What if she won?

Shudder.

she said this is it for her. No more political positions.

Holy cow, Christmas came early this year!

rebelpeach...One thing is certain...Republicans have no candidates. All they have are recyclables, career politicians and southern prissy pants to put out there. Unless of course, the erotic fantasy of the Daycare Generation thinks Palin is presidential material. Yeesh...has education in the US really dumbed down the younger generation that badly?

ewent: Education really dumbed the American people. If they could elect Bush Jr for 8 years, with Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, Morris, Fix News and all their accomplices, what makes you think that they will come back with something better? They sent McCain to the lions because they knew they couldn't win the election, and they put Palin, who's acting in the fashion of Jessica Simpson (dumb blonde, which by the way Simpson is nothing of the sorts, she's worth billions) to be the next GOP candidate. You need more proof that education has gone haywire with the younger generations?

Jim, I agree with you that these are not affordable, and definitely don't need to be made permanent.

However, raising taxes at this point seems an untenable plan in view of the slow recovery. I've been listening to economists on both sides and they all agree not to raise taxes now as the economy is too fragile.

I agree with you in the long run the deficit has to come down. I see no one willing to tackle the entitlements in view of overwhelming polls against doing so.

So basically what you are saying is that it is okay if others get taxed more as long as it isn't you right. What right do you have to your money that a person making over $250k shouldn't have? How do you think a person that makes more than you should have to pay for services they will never use? Why do you feel the government has a right to spend money that isn't in their hands? Also since you are worried about the Debt where is the call to cut social and entitlement programs? Where is your argument to cut the spending of the Government on things they aren't even required to be involved in?

I love the Entitleist mentality. Take anyone's money but mine.

Stop spending other people's money.... this money is not the Govs Sh*t, the D3mn gov can't even keep track of where 100,000 airplanes are... how can they spend money effectively... the Left thinks gov can do no wrong, I think they do very little well

It sure is funny how the Dems and the news media have been able to call "not raising any ones taxes" TAX CUTS! Anyone who thinks they aren't Taxed Enough Already can send a check into the treasury department anytime they want. Those same folks want to raise taxes on the "wealthy" That is code for anyone who makes more than them. Now if you live in Bull Nose, Montana and make more than $200k a year you are doing pretty well. Good for you. If you are in NY City you aren't rich. I think the real problem is the Federal Government spends too much money.

Gee, all the libs out there are suddenly worried about the deficit and the national debt. You are calling this a "Tax Break" for the wealthy, how about the largest tax increase in history in the middle of a recession if this isn't passed.

The American people have had the tax breaks for 10 years, and have only driven this country into debt. Why should we continue? The $900 billion cost if for the total tax deal and of that only 10% is for the upper incomers. I think if we want to talk about deficit reduction, we have to look at the 90% going to the middle/lower class as that is were the bulk of the cost are.

The logic that we need to reduce the debt, but let me keep my tax breaks, but the wealthy can't makes no sense. Guess we have all failed in economics then.

no, we need to CUT SPENDING

Wow Jim A you need to understand that the very rich don't have income. They make their money off of capital gains. You know how low the rates are for those. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet both just have capital gains. The Democrats are millionaires in congress, do you really think they will raise their own taxes? If they do they will make so many loop holes they will never pay them anyway. THis is just to make the poor think they really care about them.

That depends on what is rich. The Democrats obviously don't have a clue. However, if the "rich" ( meaning a lot of small business owners) have their taxes raised then a whole lot of more people will be jobless. Government jobs do not count because the public is paying for those so they do not r=create any kind of wealth they only cost.

Bill Gates has not had a paid income since he stepped down as Chairman, so trying to say that he pays lower taxes is true as he is living off his Billions.

Same goes to Warren as he is making only 200k or so as paid income. The rest is stock and living on investments.

To get at the rich you need to change the capital gains tax, but doing so will hurt the smaller investor way more than the big guys.

the idiot lib dems seem to have it asshat backwards AGAIN..it is NOT the gov's money in the first place and they get to decide what I keep...it is MY money that I earn and I should have a say in how much I DECIDE to GIVE to the gov...cut spending and that will bring the defict down...the dems need to have that crammed down their throats...CUT SPENDING ..!!

OK, let's raise taxes for EVERYBODY and see if THAT helps create jobs...

We need a recession now and then to shrink government down to size.

Shut up both of you.

What you can do. Take this 70 billion tax this year, and then give it back to the middleclass

You can do this in many ways; take away all taxes from the middleclass scraped to equal the amount of taxes they would have to pay if bill didn't pass.

You can scrap property tax for middleclass.

You can lower income tax or give tax credit

Scrap that Alternative minimum tax.

Lower social security tax

Give tax credit to pay for health insurance

Let the GOP oppose it then let the Fed send them checks

Do this and who will vote for them in 2012

Humble weak Obama, talk to your enemies, he would have visited Bin laden, but he doesn’t know where he is.

You are going to be out of office anyway

Jim A...Under the circumstances, the debt the US has now is so dangerous, that there are few options. And, when none of the choices look good what do you do? Sink the country further down the rat hole?

It's my express opinion that the Republicans are standing by all too quiet at the moment. Why? Because they are to blame for the mess this country is in and they know it. So, like the thief who has his hands behind his back full of money and doesn't dare open his mouth, Republicans are remaining silent and watching this president struggle with the mess they created and want to exacerbate.

President Obama has had few choices that Republicans stood toe to toe against on every issue except those that protect their wealthiest cronies. If you want to get to the heart of what's wrong in this country....it's that....wealth protection.

So basically what you are saying is that it is okay if others get taxed more as long as it isn't you right. What right do you have to your money that a person making over $250k shouldn't have? How do you think a person that makes more than you should have to pay for services they will never use? Why do you feel the government has a right to spend money that isn't in their hands? Also since you are worried about the Debt where is the call to cut social and entitlement programs? Where is your argument to cut the spending of the Government on things they aren't even required to be involved in?

Good post Mike lockwood! The system suckers want more of the rich people's money, and don't have a clue that eventually the donor will go where there are less parasites. That jerk Buffet and pals wrote a letter saying they "needed" to be taxed more- well Warren, why didn't you just write a check instead of a letter? He said at one time that he paid less taxes than his secretary, so he is a lying cheat using all of the loopholes the best lawyers can get him. Crooks like Rangel wrote the damn laws so what do you expect? The millionaires and billionaires will still find their way around paying, but the small businesses will suffer.

Crystal...I am saying that I don't get business tax credits, income tax credits that reduce my income in equity with what someone who lives on $600 a day does. If a person can't live on $250,000 a year...how stupid are they? Or are we to assume that the rest of us are responsible to keep the wealth in the wealthy?

Buffet said he paid less in taxes than his secretary ...because that was true. Hurts doesn't it to have to admit that a man like Buffet will tell other billionaires "enough is enough". At what point did your generation assume that the older generation who already worked for what they have must lose everything so that the McBrats of the Daycare Generation don't ever have to tighten their belts?

If you knew anything about small business you'd know that healthcare insurance is their worst nightmare. Most small businesses are chopped up by the corporate venture capitalists who buy up small companies that put people out of work. Duh....Most small businesses are in business to survive. At any second, a corporate venture capitalist comes along and suddenly the small businessman and his employees are unemployed. That be what you think is rational? Get a clue...one that doesn't include greed.

Again, I agree, but a sweeping clusterfrick of healthcare that will endanger the plans of 300 million people to marginally help 40 million is not the answer. Obama was so eager to create a "legacy" he didn't care what was in it, he just wanted it passed- he only has 4 years ya know. The arrogant aholes wouldn't even consider ANY input from the "enemy" and consider tort reform, interstate competition, etc. You have to know it was a joke when they had to vote on it at midnight on Christmas Eve. Sheesh

Crystal...Tell you what....do your own research...Ask a dozen small business owners if they can afford healthcare insurance for their employees. If they tell you they can't, ask them why. If you knew anything at all about healthcare insurance, you'd know that the insurance industry takes money you pay them for your premiums and uses it for investments. What does that tell you? It tells me that if their Wall Street investments sour, they need more slush money to continue their high risk games. So they just increase your premiums, drop a few thousand people from their rolls or worse...Increase the cost to employers.

President Obama isn't creating any legacy. Tort reform has no link to the freedom any HMO has to increase your premiums when they need more investment funding. Interstate competition is stupid. How many HMOs would allow their customers to cross state lines to get the lowest cost for healthcare when HMOs originated on the premise of "cost cutting" in the first place? You actually think someone in NJ would have the kind of money it takes to cross state lines to get their healthcare? Do you? That's as stupid as handing Wall Street full control of Social Security. When all roads lead to Wall Street and all Wall Street roads lead to your wallet, maybe it's time to stop blaming government for decisions Wall Street makes.

I work for a small business and I realize what a burden the healthcare is, so we have gone without raises for about 6 years now because we appreciate having a job we care about and being able to live where we do. I make enough to be content, I don't have my nails done like many on unemployment do, I don't have an Iphone and I only recently damaged my 13 year old car so I had to get a 2 year old model, and I love it. So cry me a river about how you can't afford your 2000 per month mortgage or lost your brand new cash for clunkers car! Unions have ruined this mentality, they have taught American workers need more, more, more, and screw the boss.

Crystal...You can stop crucifying those on unemployment. You have a job. Be thankful you do because it may not be there next year. Then, we'll see what you'll give up. Your posts infer that everyone has to live like you do. I saw a woman last week who was evicted from her apartment and was living on a cold street. That's not you. She's elderly and will end up in a shelter. That's not you. I know a PhD scientist who is now too expensive to cover for healthcare because he's 55 and laid off from his job...that's not you either. He's working in ShopRite.

You really need to stop comparing your situation with the circumstances that others live with.
There are no jobs. How about I take your job? I know I can do it with my eyes closed. I've lived without a pay increase for 11 years. So...I took on 2 other "uniquely American" jobs to fill in the gaps. I'd love to retire. It's not going to happen. Meanwhile, I watch others whose salaries my taxes pay for retire at age 55. I'm already 9 years older than that and working 2 years longer than my mother did before she retired.

It's time for young people to stop generalizing about others. You aren't frail, sick, handicapped or elderly. And, you have a job.

I am lucky to have a job yes, but I have worked hard to get there. We are all where we are due to choices, and I can give you just as many examples of abuse of the system. My neighbor who had a hip replacement and now gets $1800 a month on Social Security while traveling around in a motor home that is bigger than my house, a relative that got laid off and is hoping the unemployment will get her through to retirement age (which the latest extension will do), and the guy I have known for 5 years and in that time he has worked 1 year and only serious about looking for a job when he gets close to the end. Obama has an aunt who has been living off our government for years- there obviously are programs out there to help the homeless woman but if Obama's aunt can live here illegally and be taken care of while our citizens are homeless- that is assinine!

Crystal: There are abuses and injustices in any system. You cannot argue that because some abuse the system you have to punish all those that use the system when they need it. I can give you examples on both sides but I learned from experience that those you mention are just a minute proportion of the system. My late wife worked all her life and only asked for Medicaid assistance two months before she passed away. She didn't want to ask for something she was entitled because she worked her whole life and made her contributions, and thought that people would look at her with scorn because she was asking for medical care. I have a close friend of mine who has 4 children, was working, got laid off, looked for a job and now she was laid off from the job she recently obtained. Who is to blame for that? The illegals? The Democrats? The Republicans? Tell me, because you seem to have the answer to something none of the politicians want to either find out, or solve in the short term.

Sorry to hear that Mr. Ed....I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

that sucks, Mr. Ed Good luck finding work

Agreed ed.

No such thing as x-mas around here, although some may not understand it that whopping $208. a week unemployment just don't pay the bills. And no i do not have a new car/tv/ect. Just the basics... how many of you have an antenna? i do, cant afford cable, the only reason this computer is still on is its almost impossible around here to get a job without one.

But on a good note, on the local news last night 79% of local business's claim that now that they are more assured their tax's will be stable are going to start hiring again. I sure hope so. i have already received three interviews since the Nov. 2nd election. which is 2 more then i have gotten since Barry took office and both my lady i got laid off, ( from different company's and business's) Although i did have one 8 week contract last Jan/Feb.

Hang in there Ed. (like we have a choice) and Merry x-mas.

God bless Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed,

Best wishes to you and may the coming year find you back on the road to better days.

ScooterTramp,

Glad to hear you got some interviews and that things may be looking up. Best of luck to you.

mr.ed...You'll find that those responsible don't accept blame for the situaiton most Americans are in. When the majority is struggling with debt they didn't create and then get blamed by those who created it, what is that if not lack of accountability?

In my view, there are a lot of things we could do to regain our financial stability. But, Republicans won't allow it because it would step on the toes of their biggest pork projects and their wealthiest cronies. That's the gridlock no one talks about...least of all a Republican right wing Ahole who can't take accountability if it was force feed down their throats...which at this point is the only way to stop their greed.

Oh right, you have ALL the answers, pshhh. Almost every day there are "unexpected" headlines about how the dems have handled the economy, unexpected housing drops, unexpected rise in unemployment, unexpected rise in forclosures, etc. Dems couldn't pour water out of a boot with the directions written on the heel. They just want to throw money around to buy votes, and they target the uneducated poor, who will follow like sheep to get their free stuff. >

Crystal...Live another 35 years and tell me what answers you'll have. Snot nosed brats of this younger generation resent the more educated, more experienced older generation....been there, done that. All you can focus on is what the Democrats do. Isn't there a second party in this country in power for the last 10 years? If the Republicans held a Congressional majority for 6 of 8 Bush years...and then obstructed everything the Democrats tried to do since they took power in 2006, what does that tell you?

Your posts are so utterly reflective of a generation of people who do not want to accept responsiblity for their actions. You knew that the Iraq war was costing trillions in 2007...you sat back and did nothing. You knew that in 2008, a near global financial crisis nearly put this country on its ass....what did YOU do about it?

Seems like this younger generation of spoiled brats needs a whole lot more austerity before they learn what we older ones already know.....You can't have it all...all of the time...all of your life. By the way, check the campaign donations of the Bush Era....those poor people from Enron who lost retirements paid for Bush's election.

that's funny- I would be 91 and probably the only answers I would have then are which medications I take! lol
might be snot nosed though

Crystal...If you can afford medications. What exactly do you think your pension will be like without Social Security? And don't think there are no savvy 91 year olds. I know 2...one is a museum curator and the other at age 90 just retired from her job as township clerk.

You need to explain how if companies will not hire anyone who could cost too much for healthcare insurance are going to get jobs. You need to explain how if the eligibility for Social Security which is 67 now is going to help people who won't be able to get jobs because they are a healthcare expense. Logic always escapes some people.

Healthcare reform should have been done 30 years ago. Now, it's so costly that it's out of control. When employees are paying 35% of the cost of their healthcare because employers can't what does that tell you? Worse than that is the idiocy of employers who won't increase salaries even as they increase prices on their products and services and then force employees to lose 35% of their income to healthcare. How sane it is to raise prices on goods their employees need while they stiff these employees on salary increases?

And Obamacare is helping how? Costs have risen more than ever, doctors are rejecting Medicare patients, less young people are considering going into the medical field, over 200 companies have gotten a pass when the whole plan depending on EVERYBODY paying their share? During the election Obama chided McCain for even thinking about taxing cadillac plans and he told Hillary that mandating healthcare would be like mandating homeless people to buy houses. But that was before he was elected.

This won't hurt social security very much at all, there is plenty of money in there to get by for awhile (like 2037). Not that it doesn't need a fix of its own.

Eric yes it will. This has been a right wing idea for a very long time in there continuing efforts to kill and then gift to Wall Street Social Security.

long term, SS has to be reformed, as does the healthcare system. NobamaCare didn't do anything to address healthcare costs... it was insurance reform, designed to put the private ins industry out of business. Until we address all the entitlement programs, we will never address our deficet. At some point, in the not too distant future - 8-15 years - the house of cards will come tumbling down unless we face reality now. Nothing is free.

cele2000 you are quite correct, mostly anyway.

However, S.S. would be fine if the thieving politicians of both party's who have been robbing it and using it as their own personal piggy bank, would simply replace what they have been taking, then leave it the hell alone. How about starting with the Supposed GM payback? and what happened to the unspent portion of the stimulus? don't hear anyone talking about where oh where that money went do ya?

The Democrats have spent it all anyway. LBJ broke open the bank to pay for Viet Nam, then said they would replace it. I guess the war isn't over.

Cele2000, you have so many inaccuracies in your statement that you need to take a step back and think about what you said. The health care legislation may not be a perfect bill but it is giving the insurance industry 50 million new customers that they don't have access to otherwise. We can debate the nuances of this but to say it was "designed to put the private industry out of business" is factually wrong. A single payer system would have put a lot of private insurers out of business. I was actually for this since they are a middle man that does nothing over than process paper and dictatee the kind of care their customers receive. Obama made sure it was never on the table.

Next, entitlement programs are not all the problem and you know it. Defense spending is close to 50% of the budget. Talk about nothing is free! There is a lot of overkill in our defense spending yet that is seldom proposed by those who attack entitlements. Social Security is fine for the next 29 years and is solely funded by payroll taxes (that is why I am against Obama's "compromise" in the temporay payroll tax cut because it is a trap). It has been the borrowing from this fund (ramped up by Reagan) that made this an issue. But tax cuts have nothing to do with Social Security--it is a common myth. Medicare was seriously damaged by Medicare Part D that didn't allow the US Government to negotiate with Big Pharma. Medicare can benefit from implementing technological efficiencies and bring down drug costs. Again, if we had a sinle payer system, we wouldn't need Medicare and healthy younger workers would be paying into the system, which would be a more effective funding mechanism.

Tax cuts run up deficits. Have been doing this since Reagan. Reagan's own former budget director David Stockman confirmed this. If you are a deficit hawk, you cannot ignore this fact.

cele2000 -- i don't know about you, but i really don't want some bean counter in a closet somewhere telling me a treatment i need costs too much and that i am denied.

Tax cuts do not cause deficits. Too much spending causes deficits. People , wake up. IF you think taxes are too low, how about we make all the people that do NOT pay taxes ( 48%) pay their fair share. How about we cut some of the waist in government. It is rampant but no one wants to tackle that. The only ideas they have are raising taxes and cutting out the goodies for the elderly, which they paid into for years. How about we cut welfare. Soaking the rich, the mantra of the liberals wont work. there ain't that many rich people. IF you tax them too much they will simply leave.

LAScooter tramp-I believe that obama sent the remainder of the stimulous money to the world bank, which is where he want's to take America! I don't remember that going for a vote of 'We the People"!!!!!!!!!

Shut up both of you.

What you can do. Take this 70 billion tax this year, and then give it back to the middleclass

You can do this in many ways; take away all taxes from the middleclass scraped to equal the amount of taxes they would have to pay if bill didn't pass.

You can scrap property tax for middleclass.

You can lower income tax or give tax credit

Scrap that Alternative minimum tax.

Lower social security tax

Give tax credit to pay for health insurance

Let the GOP oppose it then let the Fed send them checks

Do this and who will vote for them in 2012

Humble weak Obama, talk to your enemies, he would have visited Bin laden, but he doesn’t know where he is.

You are going to be out of office anyway

janegrey: i really don't want some bean counter in a closet somewhere telling me a treatment i need costs too much and that i am denied.

How does that not happen now with private insurance? Further, we may have given access in theory to 50 million new customers, environgal, but there were no caps placed on either the costs of premiums or on the corresponding, now huge deductibles so that many of those people simply won't be able to afford that now accessible insurance...in the states where it is offered even. My brother now pays $8,000 per year to insure a family of 5 with a $2,000 deductible each. My nephew just broke his arm and the insurance didn't have to pay a dime of his bill. My brother works for one of them nice big, hugely profitable oil companies in Houston too so it isn't a matter of corporate money issues. People who say that Obamacare got shoved down people's throat. It did and it was not good. But most of us were expecting true overhaul which includes, at a minimum, price controls for coverage and for care. These were not present in the bill that President Obama and Congress handed us...but they were present in the beginning "framework". We got what we got because of the medical industry PACs and special interest groups, the Republicans, and a President that lacked leadership qualities and the inability to lead congress, despite the majority.

I voted for first for Hilary Clinton in the primaries because I knew Obama did not know enough about how Congress works and how to apply appropriate pressures. The democratic party caucuses knew this too and thought Obama would be tractable and easily controlled so they quickly embraced him. What they didn't suspect is that the Republicans knew it too. President Obama continually shows weakness and caves to much to the right. His starting points are conservative before the negotiations even begin so of course he gives away most of his political capital, with credit, every time he negotiates. He also knows that the Democrats won't agree with his starting points so he excludes them from the negotiation table...which counts as direct betrayal to his own party. Not only that, but the only yelling the public ever hears from him is directed at his own supporters. Now he evidently needs ex-presidents to speak on his behalf because even his own people don't believe or support him. He is not to be trusted, and certainly not to be re-elected. We need a good primary with staunch, knowledgable, and trustworthy candidates that are genuine democrats for a change. For all the republican raving, President Obama is actually the most conservative democrat I've every seen.

And no that doesn't mean I will vote Republican in the next Presidential election UNLESS the Republicans can produce a competent, truly centrist, realistic, non-holier-than-thou (meaning NOT social conservative...centrism is ok though) candidate. I don't hold high hopes that will happen either.

No one seems to realize (or if they do, they won't mention it), but there are many, many people drawing SSI who are not really handicapped, not incapable of working, but who feel they shouldn't have to work to get money. They want their "government" to pay them for not working.

I see the lawyers ads on TV virtually promising to secure SSI for the lazy, indolent, shiftless, slothful (and very large) group who feel they are entitled to the workers of our land to support them (and their habits), while they go about life smiling and getting fat.

Don't know about you, but I'm tired of supporting them, their children and the lawyers who gladly go about bleeding social security.

SteveJamison...Well...we could pass a bill that demands that all CEOs stop raiding their corporations for their salaries...or we could pass a bill that demands they bring back the jobs that made them billionaires...or we pass a bill that ends all of their inheritance tax credits and their business tax credits and the rest of their tax credits...see the Republican obstruction yet? See the wealth protection in all of that?

Steve Jamison...Nothing brings more joy to the heart and soul of a Republican than handing Social Security over to Wall Street. The same thing that caused the Great Depression. Too much slush money in the banks and investment firms who played fast and loose with it as if it was their own. Back then, these cowards just jumped out of buildings...Now, we have TARP and ARRA to save their rich asses.

Sorry Peter17 but the house republicans will be playing with half a deck. Something they have a lot of practice doin.

Unless they ASSume the Senate democrats and President will just roll over for them. ;-)

To have even the slightest chance in 2012 they need to legislate not demonstrate!

To do that the GOP will have to play ball with our President.

Now isn't that nice! ;-)

I believe the deal that was struck would have not had that much different a complexion or in essence no matter whether Republicans controlled the House or not. To wit, the Republicans have achieved a 'majority effect' in all branches of the government in ratifying this deal in this lame duck session.

Compromise will have to happen.

Republicans will have to propose legislation now that will be under scrutiny, just like the Dems have the last two years.

The Republicans can now also be blocked.

Eric....you must be smoking crack.....the dems were not under any scrutiny....they did what ever they wanted

@Brew: If they had done whatever they wanted we would have single-payer healthcare now, like the rest of the civilized world.

Krugman is an idiot. He should be driving a taxi somewhere instead of teaching our kids. Tell me one place, in the history of the world, that socialism has worked for more than a couple generations? It can't; there are too many promised benefits and not enough money. Look at Europe, other than Germany, they are all on the brink to some degree, cutting benefits, raising retirement age, rationing healthcare.

Gov pensions alone are going to bankrupt most states. The level of spending we are committed to is simply not sustainable. I don't care where tax rates are, you can't raise taxes high enough to cover all these entitlements.

No Coral have you just landed from outer space. Obama says he is giving in. Then he has Reid add 55 billion to the bill. He is doing just what he has done for 2 years, spend baby spend.

Peter17....Republicans bought their 38 seats that gave them a majority. Check the number of foreign donors to their campaigns laundered through the US Chamber of Commerce. So, they knew exactly what they were doing. Obstruct all of Obama's policies until they could rally enough money to buy yet another round of Republican dominance. Too bad there's no blood left in the turnips.

President Obama made the right choice under these circumstances. Who do you think would have suffered most if those tax credits weren't passed? Not the wealthy, that's for damn sure. It would have placed 9 million unemployed Americans on welfare. Oddly enough, the rich would end up paying for that.

What the young youths of today don't get is that with such huge financial debt from 8 years of Republican spending, there is a serious danger at every turn of financial collapse. That's what the Democrats struggle to avoid and shouldn't have had to do that at all if Republicans had spent like porkers.

Catmoves: SSI is not the same as SSD...and I can tell you that the government spends a lot more money defending against fraud than they do actually paying out claims. SSI provides a small supplement for people with income limited for reasons other than disability. SSD is Social Security Disability. In fact 95% of applications for SSDI are rejected, regardless of medical evidence. Typically the decisions get appealed. Of the appeals, 95% of those are rejected again. Assuming that the applicants have the will to proceed (and are still alive) they can appeal for a hearing before an administrative law judge. There is a two year+ backlog for even scheduling the hearing and then it takes another six months-to-year before a decision is reached. All told, the waiting time from application to award for SSD is two to five years. In fact, we waste huge amounts of money in the Social Security Disability program just covering administrative and legal costs keeping truly disabled people from getting benefits that they paid into. Then, SSD recipients are audited every 2-5 years for medical status and/or financial gain.

Check it out at:

http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm

Spoken like a true fascist.

Clinton worked across the aisle to get us a surplus. That's what he understands.

What didn't Bush understand?

Alright Jim Bob, your name says it all.

Eric....clinton had a republican congress....he didnt have a choice

eric: clinton didn't produce the surplus. The Republicans with Newt Gingrich did with their contract with America. Best you go back and check this out.

You have to think of Clinton the president as 2 completely different people. The time prior to the 92 midterms and the time after. That congress does not get the due credit it deserves, instead Bilbo takes it all willingly and has played that card for nearly 20 years now.

JimBob...Don't talk ....If Conservatism is so great, after an 8 year conservative presidency...is this all conservatives have to offer America? Poverty, struggle, joblessness, dominance of 1% who get 11% richer with 3 tax credits?

Conservatives are American terrorists who love those SUVs that cost $100 a pop to keep the gas tanks filled. Meanwhile, these hypocrites will cut transit funding for people who need transportation to work.

Illogical conservatism isn't an excuse for bullying.

Since they became capitalists -like us. ;-)

The rich don't "make jobs for out of work people". They make jobs because there is work to be done and profit to be made.

The payroll tax cut will put more money in everyone's hands.

JC

and is that a bad thing

making a profit I mean

I sort of learned in college economics that this was the basic focus of capitalism

Making a profit is not a bad thing but the thing that the Repubs have been screaming is we need more jobs. For who? More to be sent to India and China? That's all that the wealthy greedies have done so far.

This "Robin Hood" ideal of rob from the rich to give to the poor needs to end. This tax break will be the only thing saving the Middle Classes' backside, because even if this doesn't pass, the "rich" have tax attourneys that spend their entire time figuring out loopholes and how not pay taxes. In the end, we will always be the backbone of this country and the center of economic greatness or weakness. Give us a break and Amen to the positive comments here and happy holidays to all.

Yes and congress won't pay either party, they create the loop holes. They just tell the poor and lower middle class we care about you. If they cared they would pay the full amount of their taxes. They get out of paying and we go deeper in debt. Why not have all of Obama's staff pay their taxes? He has the money he could pay them and then take it out of their checks until he is paid back.

kategus...Do yourself a favor...Learn who your Republican representatives are...Then, barrage them with emails, mail etc until they know your name. Then, get 10 more people to do the same. Nothing bugs a Republican like a full inbox. After all, they don't like getting too close to the unwashed masses.

President Obama isn't leading this country into a mess. It was in a mess with a Harvard MBA who brought on a financial meltdown in 2008 after 8 years of wild spending. Where were your complaints then?

Amen !

james: do you REALLY think dems or repubs have right actions...who should we start with: Reid selling us out to the chinese and casinos, or Boehner ensuring we have a ruling class and a slave class? Both parties should be tried in a court and then hung til they can't lie any more...

It's kinda funny when people say "Do what's right no matter how unpopular it is." What the hell does that mean? Are we stupid? Is what the public wants not "popular"? Are we so uninformed that the popular opinion of the public is not a valid choice in politics?

Maybe it's because our sources (the media) are failing at their jobs. Kinda makes me think outside information sources like WikiLeaks is what we need in this country. Apparently, that's the only way we can expect unbiased raw information about the bull***t our government is doing.

It just seems that we Americans have become all too comfortable with the "Wag the Dog" scenario. Maybe we need to demand our will unto the government. How about this, we all change our W-4s, claim 25, give the government nothing all year long, and then keep our money on april 15th. Maybe then they will listen to the people. After all, it's our country.

Ryan...Are youth these days so dumbed down by their own egos they need an explanation of what "Do the right thing no matter how unpopular it is" means? It wasn't popular to stop bigotry back in the 1960's. But, my generation white and black knew it was wrong. So we put a stop to it as much as we could. Ending the Viet Nam war that killed so many of my classmates with protests weren't popular...as I recall Nixon was the one who pitched a bitch whenever he saw anti-war protestors on the White House lawn....but we forced an end to that pointless war.

With the attitude of the McBrats of today...you've carried narcissism to unheard of limits. Snarky, snarling, self-important McBrats think Me, Me, Me First. That's a pathetic commentary on anti-social behaviors no matter how much metrosexual Happy Hours you game.

@ ewent

"Do the right thing no matter how unpopular it is" means? It wasn't popular to stop bigotry back in the 1960's. But, my generation white and black knew it was wrong."

So...your entire generation knew it was wrong, but it wasn't popular???? That doesn't even make sense. And what the hell is a McBrat?

And how am I a narcissist because I want the public to have a say in what the Govt. does? Not once do I promote my own ideals in my post, I only convey dismay with the fact that our media all but tells us how and what to think. The fact that you took it so personally and had to revert to name calling makes you the obvious narcissist, and also makes you look stupid.

I bet you just loved George W. He and his cronies got us into this mess but you conservies won't admit it.

kategus: he said he is progressive. I am too- Obama is just another elite: all Bill "best friend of the bushes" Clinton did was send massive amounts of manufacturing jobs overseas while deregulating bankers...nice job...lets get a non politician in there.

kate....try not to be such a fool.....this mess started before bush....slick willy did a lot of damage in 1999

lol, is that the same George W. that now polls higher than Barry?

Wow Kategus, I don't remember George W starting the community reinvestment act(sub prime mortgage). This was started by Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton took credit for starting it. Obama(senator) voted for it again and again, and poor old Barney Frank said it wasn't a big deal that Freddie and Fannie were safe. When the bottom fell out Barney wanted to get rid of Freddie and Fannie. He knew all along it was going to bust. Don't blame George W for that. That created the housing mess, the auto company mess, and banking mess.

john55fan....Why is it right wingers love those childish name they call this president...It isn't cute. It's disrespectful and it show lack of allegiance to the country. Not to mention disrespect for constitutional majority rule.

If you want to put a spotlight on where all of the trouble starts...look no further than Wall Street. It's why you paid for TARP and ARRA. It's why Bush wanted to create a perpetual slush fund for Wall Street by handing them more money from healthcare premiums, Social Security and Medicare. Why does Wall Street need more money to play their high risk games? Because they'd rather use YOUR money to fund their gambling with our country's future...That way if their investments go south with your money, theirs is safe and we take the blame.

You are an ignorant fool. The President hasn't smoked a cigerette for 9 months! ;-)

Uh huh, and E.T. is real and coming to visit you for Christmas.

DOLT!!!!!!!!

Since when did picking up hot chicks become an impeachable offense?

more than just 1 sean....but we all know the party on the left leans that way quite a bit more. Isnt it odd that 1% of the people have such an impact on the other 99%?

Coral how do you know he hasn't? The secret service were hidding the fact that he was still smoking before. Who told you he isn't smoking any more? Would this be the same person who told you that insurance premiums wouldn't go up if Obama care passed?

varmit...Bush was a boozer....How do you know he didn't imbibe when he was in the White House? Cheney was president. Admit it. Without Cheney, God only knows what Bush would have done to this country that the two of them haven't already done.

I too thought this might have been the starting point for some give and take cooperation

but alas no

I really wish people will stop Pushing that myth. Again The democarts never had a 60 seat majority in the senate.

neoatg, can you not count? They had 60 all the way through the passage of the healthcare bill through the senate.

Winston...Uh-uh...Not this time. Amerians of the poor and middle class paid huge bills to recoup the losses of 1%. There's a price for everything. In a way, President Obama was his usual highly intelligence self. He had to know that by giving into Republicans who were holding 9 million unemployed Americans hostage, that the price is that Republicans now have to put their money where their mouths are....They have 2 years to bring down unemployment or the price for the tax credits will directly target the rich in the future.

Tom...According to the constitution...you need a 62% majority for legislation to pass. Republicans know all they have to do is obstruct by 2% and nothing gets done. Sad legacy for that party but it will bite them in the ass. They have 2 years to bring jobs back. Or their party is toast.

Eric..........Clinton is the issue. A walking disgrace with a wife to match. This lying, draft dodging, perjuring, adultering slime. The coward, wh , with the aid of aid of citizens of the same ilk, made this sneak Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces. The other liar Hillary, who has the legs she constantly hides, of a truck horse is praised, a known liar, is still endeared to the left. You see where the left is going. Down the toilet where the Clintons have been floating around all of their lives.

14.1 - Something like that.

Polihali: the Clintons are no more left leaning than YOU are...they are part of the elite. You did see the 20 million dollar wedding? America is losing the middle class and our world standing because of elites of both parties raping the country...not because of some hippie in sandals asking for our tax dollars to be spent on good things here in America. The incontrovertible truth is that the "leftist" Canadians and Europeans are leaving us in the dust, and are growing quite wealthy along the way.

rock...Do you know the difference between the Kennedy, Obamas and the Clintons and The Bush Dynasty? The Cheney Regality? People. A Kennedy saw to it that elderly sick people weren't going to go down with the greed of the medical industry when they created Medicare. Hillary Clinton works her butt off for the betterment of her country. Don't you dare associate her with the likes of LauraAdora whose only contribution to the US was walking 2 steps behind her old man. Or Nancy of the Adoring Eyes phony baloney BS.

The difference in Democrats and Republicans...Democrats never forget who they work for. Republicans always do, especially when those they work for can't hand over money to their campaigns in hideous amounts.

I live in california....the state that has been bankrupted by the liberals that you love so much.

Liberal progressives were repudiated in the mid-term "shellacking" but I understand that you are proud. Stay true to your beliefs. Do you think that Jesus loves me too even though I am a conservative? Jesus loves everybody doesn't He?!

Breweyez: maybe u should take a wider look at your California situation...Canada and Western Europe are doing a hell of a lot better than we are. It isn't right or left, it is middle class against the elites: before you have $3/pay.

kategus...Here's one for you. Red state equal rebels of the Civil War..hence the color red. Blue states equal "union" likewise the color blue. Liberal equals equality for all Americans. Conservatism equals slush fund money for the rich. Republicans equal Big Business. Democrats equal Pro-Labor. Big Business equals "assets". Pro-Labor equals "liability".

Congratulation yourself. Now you understand right wing math.

You mean Bill Clinton who expanded globalization because he was a forward-thinking man whose free trade binds nations together for the benefit of everybody? Maybe if corporate America could do a better job than low-paid Chinese laborers, the jobs might still be here. Perhaps those labor unions demanding outrageously lavish health care, pensions, and benefits that rival even the most outlandish Senatorial perks might have something to do with the hopelessly inefficient and ineffective work force.

eyetoldeweso,

Before calling names, you should get your facts straight. Bush Sr. had NAFTA in full swing at the end of his presidency. It just got voted on at the beginning of Clinton's 1st term.

Montimo,

Yes, but lets not distort facts, Bill Clinton was in favor of free trade even during the general election. The passage of NAFTA, with a few provisions demanded by congress, was a big deal for him. But I agree with the OP, NAFTA has severely hampered US business and is without question unfair.

Yes eyetoldeweso, but Clinton took full credit for it like everything else he didn't do. He was slick about that.

Hello proAmerica, I didn't say he didn't support it. I was just stating the fact that the process had already been started by the previous administration.

I enjoy a good debate as much as anyone. I just hate when the facts are misconstrued. And the name calling used by some here is very sad.

I know it isn't common knowledge, BUT; NAFTA is a Reagan creation. Which Clinton was basically forced into signing by the Republican dominated congress at the time to gain concessions towards welfare reform and medical reforms.

Then I see all kinds of remarks about Clinton this Clinton that. GUESS WHAT! The economy was the best it has been in a half century. He increased standards of joining the military. What did The Actor Reagan do? Besides institute an economic agenda that has caused three Trickle Down Presidents to create 80% of all the national dept we have since G. Washington. Who also started the down fall of the GDP(how our money is valued/ hasn't been gold standard in almost a century) by shipping manufacturing to other countries so him and his buddies can make stock dividends. 90% of you...answer this question! How big was your dividend check last year? This question also! How many preferred shares of stock do you own(the kind that actually get you a vote on the board)? Most folks are so easily manipulated.

I know it isn't common knowledge, BUT; NAFTA is a Reagan creation. Which Clinton was basically forced into signing by the Republican dominated congress at the time to gain concessions towards welfare reform and medical reforms.

Actually it was both Bush and Clinton that got NAFTA through. They were forced all right. Forced by the ruling class that controls both parties at the top. The only one against was Ross Perot and he was laughed at and called a nut, when he said he could just hear the sucking sounds of jobs going overseas. Now who's laughing

Its time to put away the Kool Aid the think for yourself..

It was a Reagan creation. I grew up in the Buffalo area, right on the Canadian border. I was young in the early 80's, but; literally my neighbors father was one of the 1st employees working on NAFTA. Gave us all T-shirts to promote it. Well before Bush(senior) was president. Also; it is the trickle down investor based economy theory that has destroyed the GDP by sending jobs overseas. My personnel observation is after Reagan shipped the steel industry away every thing else just.....trickled down.

China IS NOT part of North American and IS NOT part of The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA(North American Free Trade Agreement) which is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico,, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. NAFTA was signed by President George H.W. It was ratified by the legislatures of the three countries Bush, Mexican President Salinas, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1992. in 1993. The House approved it by 234 to 200 on November 17 and the Senate by 60 to 38 on November 20. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on December 8, 1993 and entered force January 1, 1994.

The China Trade Bill which increased the American trade deficit and caused the lost of American jobs to a low-wage workforce in China was supported by the Clinton administration, most congressional Republicans of the 106^th Congress of the U.S. led by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert(R) and Majority Leader of the Senate Dick Armey Lott(R), and Conservative business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable. It was opposed by most House Democrats and by unions, human rights advocates, and environmentalists. The bill's passage followed a November 1999 agreement reached between U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who agreed to cut barriers to U.S. imports and investments in exchange for eliminating the annual review of China's trade status.

eyetoldyouso....And Bush who gave us worse....CAFTA and SAFTA...Name one Central or South American country that will buy US exports at US prices. You can't. At least, with NAFTA, Canada trade with the US is fair and equal. Mexico...that was a gift to Republican special interests in order to get the Canadian trade. And, who benefitted most from including Mexico if not Texas and the southern states like VA and GA who gun run to Mexico?

eyetolduso -

You have no idea what NAFTA even is. It is North American Free Trade and has absolutely nothing to do with China. I'd say do some research before openening your mouth and making an idiot of yourself again!!

The reps spent alot of you tax dollars to catch him doing what most men do.

umm...more women cheat than men. That is fact; as a matter of fact: doctors say up to 35% of mendont know that their children really are- someone else's...

Sex with an intern in the summer office? Please please grow up and say something intelligent.

Poor obama - how embarrassing he really is!

MWooton: I was joking. Lighten up.

fuzzymathematician...That's really what is driving the anger among right wingers....not a single thing to pin on this president. You impeach Clinton on a morals charge and for lying ...Yet, Nixon had to resign in disgrace for his. Get a clue.

And Reagan bailed out because Ollie was the sacrificial lamb. But hey, as a reward he had his own tv program where? You nailed it! Fix News! Or the Iranians of back then where better than the Iranians of today when we sold them guns to maintain the 'contras' in Nicaragua?

Been to the grocery store lately? Plant a garden and eat from the earth free.

no such thing as a free lunch.

I can tell you I am not happy with him or the Democratic or Reps they are all selling us down the river and if the American people don't wake up it will be to late.

the architect of prosperity in the 90's cannot be hated by the left

hey bob...you are almost as big a fool as wiseup....architect???? LOL republican congress bob

wiseup-

I don't watch fox news thanks though. And you keep watching EVERY other news station that is completely liberal and be a complete retard yourself.

Crossing Party Line...No...Those who know experts in finance don't ever rely on Wall Street gamblers for advice. Unlike Republicans who don't move their bowels without a Wall Street go ahead.

Yes here's the problem, if these tax cuts for the rich are passed Obama will be blamed for the deficit increase...and the new GOP congress taking Office in January will set their sites of cutting social security and medicare for old people.

I say let the tax cuts expire and leave the old people alone.

You're not trying to scare our senior citizens are you? It is the Democrats that reduced the funding for Medicare Advantage plans in HCR!!

"...he (Obama)... has truly been bitch slapped from the left."

And rightly so - I think it's official: Obama is the WORST PRESIDENT EVER. Jimmy Carter can breath easier now.

If I had wanted a president who stood up for Republican values, I'd have voted for McCain!

Robert in Ohio...You truly do not have a barometer of what President Obama's supporters think. If you are crushed in a car accident, do you fight to survive or lay there waiting to die? This president is unlike any other. He has an army of enemies but you know what? He's like Churchill...His is forward movement only because there are no other choices.

When the choices are all bad, this president has the courage of his convictions upon which he stands. Show a single American who can't admire a man who stands on that kind of courage.

President Obama's supporter aren't angry with Obama. Although we may be rankled by Democrats who mouth off now when they should have been mouthing off at Republicans a year ago.

Republicans will be remembered as Shakedown Artists. That's what they continually do to this administration. They use every tactic in the book to show that Republicans, not Democrats are in power no matter how many Americans defy that.

He sure did. And the idiot Bush did take care of that. I've never been a fan of Bush. His tax cuts weren't the problem it was the tax cuts IN ADDITION TO uncontrolled spending which the republicans are supposed to be against. Clearly Bush wasn't against that. I've never had a problem with Clinton and I've never liked Bush but I'm still not a democrat, I'm just not a hard lined republican. I just found it funny b/c I've been on so many of these forums debating this tax thing and I can't count how many Dems brought up Clinton as an example why we shouldn't do this tax deal and now hes backing it. That doesn't seem ironic to anybody else?

Wow Kategus would he have had a balanced budget if the Democrats had control of both houses of congress? Clinton took credit again for something he didn't control. Republicians had control of congress for 6 of the 8 years he was in power. You saw what happened when the Democrats got power again. Same old tax and spend.

Ah varmit, who was in control from 2003 to 2006? A GOP trifecta of so-called fiscal conservatives--House, Senate and Presidency. Unpaid for programs (Medicare Part D for one) , tax cuts in a time of "war" and blowing a budget surplus they inherited. Your rhetoric doesn't match the facts.

If Clinton is on board you know its bad, what happen to all the cash he collected for the victims of the Tsunami and lately the Haiti earth quake victims. Are people that gulable to believe the man that said I did not have sex with that women. The tax to death game is a joke people are just waiting for the game to collapse. The Mafia that claims to be the crusaders for the poor continue to line their pockets first.

gh56...Is that it? That's all you've got in your arsenal of anti-Obama rhetoric? How about you go and find out what happened to that missing $200 billion US vendors working in Iraq filched? How about you get back the billions Bush handed to businesses in 2001 to hire and create jobs...and we all know who successful that was.

I'm sick of right wing pettiness with this president while you overlook the deep dark dirty work of your Republican party. By the way, they finally indicted Tom DeLay in Tx. Watch how fast that Ahole TX government finds an excuse to pardon him.

That is because he entered into office without a clue as how to be President of the United States. However he seems very versed in how to play basketball, entertain at the White House, take extravigant vacations, and bow to foreign leaders, and OH yes, lets not forget pandering to illegals and their corrupt governments, including suing a state in his country he was elected to serve and protect because he got shown up because he could't do his job. Did I cover everything?.

I believe you did!!! Oh, you left out all the idiotic appearances on the late night talk shows!

Thanks RMil, And with your help of adding in the talk show appearances, I do believe we have just penned Obama's memior. Royalty's please! lol.

I almost forgot it should not be a very expensive book to publish because there really wasn't much to write about!